Ohio gov OKs bill ending 'vicious' pit bull label

Published: February 21, 2012 7:44 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Pit bulls in Ohio will no longer be labeled as "vicious" dogs under a bill that's been signed into law by Gov. John Kasich.

The governor on Tuesday signed the bill that changes a law defining a vicious dog as one that has seriously hurt or killed a person, killed another dog or is among those commonly known as pit bulls. The new measure removes the reference to pit bulls from the definition and requires evidence to prove pit bulls are actually vicious.

It also specifies that the label does not include a police dog that has injured a person or has killed another dog.

Some dog wardens have opposed the measure because of frequent pit bull attacks. Others have said pit bulls are not inherently vicious.